Celtics rally from 27 down to stun Magic;(STRYLINK NAME:v8728; SLUG:2030 APBC-BKN–Celtics-Magic 2nd Ld-Writethru,1123;)(MLINK SSTRY:; PHOTO:201201262212799526948-012612; AUDIO:;))(HEADLINE XHL:Clippers hang on to beat Grizzlies 98-91
January 27, 2012
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Just 16 games into their new partnership, Blake Griffinand Chris Paul are already capable of grinding out victories for the Los AngelesClippers on nights when nothing seems to work properly.
They are both certain the Clippers will find their flow pretty soon.
Griffin scored 20 points, Paul added 18 points and seven assists in hissecond game back from injury, and the first-place Clippers hung on in the fourthquarter for a 98-91 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.
Mo Williams scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, and Griffinadded nine rebounds and eight assists as the Clippers maintained a narrow leadthroughout the final period despite feeling little cohesion on either end of thecourt.
Singer Rihanna watches during … AP – Jan 27, 2:16 am EST Singer Rihanna watches during … AP – Jan 27, 2:15 am EST
Memphis Grizzlies guard Josh S… AP – Jan 27, 2:00 am EST
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“That’s how we have to execute down the stretch,” Griffin said. “It’s agood win against a great team. We shouldn’t be down on this win at all. They’renot all going to be pretty.”
Caron Butler scored 17 points, and Paul also had seven rebounds whileplaying back-to-back games after missing the previous five with a strained lefthamstring. DeAndre Jordan had nine points and nine rebounds as the Clippersbounced back from Wednesday’s contentious loss to the Lakers, dropping thatrivalry game after holding the lead for nearly every possession of the first 3 1/2 quarters.
The Clippers’ new nucleus is still learning how to respond to adversity, andPaul thinks this gritty win over a strong playoff contender should help.
“Sooner or later we’re going to learn, because these little opportunitiescan slip away from you,” Paul said. “We’ve got to build up as many wins aspossible, and it feels good for me to be out there. I’ve got to keep the energygoing. Every game means so much.”
The Clippers stayed atop the Pacific Division even during Paul’s absence,and they bounced back solidly from Wednesday’s emotional loss to the Lakers, buta tougher schedule looms for a franchise with just one winning season in 19years. No team in the Western Conference has played fewer games than theClippers—including 11 in front of sellout home crowds.
Los Angeles did it this time with defense, holding the Grizzlies under36-percent shooting and scoring 24 points off Memphis’ 17 turnovers.
“We kept them at a low field-goal percentage, but they made us earneverything,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “I was pleased with the waywe got stops at the end when we needed to. Different guys stepped up.”
Rudy Gay scored 24 points for the Grizzlies, who have lost two straightfollowing a seven-game winning streak. Marc Gasol added 18 points and 11rebounds on Memphis’ third stop on a four-game West Coast trip.
Gasol’s two free throws trimmed the Clippers’ lead to 91-89, but Butler hita driving layup, and Paul made two free throws after a steal with 45 secondsleft. Although Griffin didn’t score in the fourth quarter, the Clippers scoredseven consecutive points in the final minute to seal their third straight winover Memphis.
“None of it was their defense,” Gay said. “It was us. I mean, they dohave some long athletic big men that alter a couple of shots. But for the mostpart, we were getting good shots and just weren’t knocking them down.”
The Grizzlies had a day off after their loss in Portland on Tuesday in theirfourth game in five days. Gay managed just 11 points against the Trail Blazers,but surpassed that well before halftime against the Clippers.
Paul made a four-point play during an early 11-0 run by the Clippers, whojumped out to a 27-11 lead late in the first quarter. Rudy Gay made a 50-footshot at the first-quarter buzzer as the Grizzlies made a 14-0 run of their own,keeping it close into the fourth quarter.
“We couldn’t get any stops down the stretch,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollinssaid. “We were within three, and every time they came back down, they got itback to five. We never got a stop where we could get a chance to take thelead.”
NOTES: Both teams wore throwback ABA uniforms. The Clippers dressed in thebaby-blue-and-red gear of the Los Angeles Stars, while the Grizzlies sported theMemphis Tams’ gold jerseys and green shorts. Starting in 1972, Charlie Finleydressed his newly purchased basketball team in the same colors worn by hisOakland Athletics and the NHL’s California Golden Seals. … Before the game,the Clippers assigned G Eric Bledsoe to the D-League’s Bakersfield Jam in hiscomeback from a torn meniscus in his right knee. The second-year point guard washurt during an offseason workout. … Fans near courtside included Rihanna,Billy Crystal, “True Blood” actor Jim Parrack and David Justice.
